For Christmas last year, my wife got me a ChÃ¢teau Laguiole Grand Cru waiter's corkscrew -- olivewood handle and stainless steel. I love it. Runs about $150, though. You can find them at the Wine Enthusiast website or at www.laguiole.com.

They also make a line that runs around $50 or so. Look for them at www.wineenthusiast.com.

My advice on lever corkscrews would be to look for stainless steel ones. I've heard lots of stories about the less-well constructed ones breaking, especially with the synthetic corks that are becoming more and more common.

I've had a lever screwpull since they were offered, probably 3-4 years. I've had to replace the worm twice but it's perfect with older wines. I use an AhSo on synthetic corks whenever I run into them.WW

Costco or Price Club, as it's called in the Baltimore area, carries an excellent lever style corkscrew that's all metal construction for $12.99 and it's wonderful. I looked on Costco.com and found the below which looks identical only an upscale box, which probably explains the $29 price tag.